There’s nothing quite like leaving the office behind and jetting off on that well-deserved holiday. Play your cards right and you could cunningly plot exactly how to use your precious time off around the bank holidays. Here’s how to get the most out of your annual leave in 2026...

January: take two days leave for five days out of the office

Extra days to take off: Friday 2 - Monday 5 January

It’s a new year and there are new destinations on the scene, but why not kick-start your year with a trip to one of the cool Canary Islands and escape winter entirely? In Tenerife, the sun is shining and the air is warm, so throw down your towel and embrace that holiday spirit.

Easter: take four days leave for eight days away

Extra days to take off: Monday 30 March - Thursday 2 April

Make this Easter egg-stra exciting with a week-long break. Temperatures across Europe are on the rise, which means you’ll have the pick of the bunch when it comes to destinations. If you fancy squeezing the last out of the ski season, then Val d’Isere in the French Alps is just a hop, skip and a jump away.

Early May Bank Holiday: take four days leave for nine days out of the office

Extra days to take off: Tuesday 5 - Friday 9 May

If you take four days leave, you can secure a terrific nine days off on the trot. Result! This gives you plenty of time for a Scandi spring break in Bergen, where you can uncover the beauty of the Norwegian fjords, plus experience all of Bergen’s best bits.

Summer Bank Holiday: take four days leave for nine days out of the office

Extra days to take off: Tuesday 1 - Friday 4 September

If you’ve got kids, this is the perfect time to jet off as a final farewell to summer before they go back to school. Gorgeous Greek islands like Crete and Corfu shine with their shimmering beaches and fun-packed resorts, while Croatia's got history buffs covered – the world’s your oyster within this peak sunshine season.

Christmas: take seven days leave for 12 days out of the office

Extra days to take off: Monday 21 - Thursday 24 & Tuesday 29 December - Thursday 31 December

Book off the days surrounding Christmas and you’ll be rewarded with a hearty 12 days off! If you’re bored of the same old festive period back home, why not jet off somewhere new? The sand-swept isle of Fuerteventura basks in sunshine, while the rest of Europe shivers with towns all dressed up in their festive finery. Prefer to spend it on the slopes? Enjoy days spent skiing on snow-blanketed pistes and chilly nights cosying up in the local eateries. All that’s left to do is to choose where!